The three-day deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.
At the southeastern entrance of the Sunset Forest, Fu Shiyan's vegetation avatar stood with his hands behind his back. Fu Ze stood quietly behind him like a shadow, following him closely.
The moment the agreed-upon time arrived, a chilling, sweet-scented poisonous mist quietly spread out, and Dugu Bo's lean, tall figure materialized from within the vapor.
When he clearly saw the appearance of Fu Shiyan's avatar, even though he had prepared himself mentally, a look of profound shock uncontrollably flashed through his eyes!
Too young!
Judging by his face, he was clearly just a young man of eighteen or nineteen!
However, when he focused his mind to sense carefully, that shock turned into an even deeper horror--the soul power fluctuations faintly radiating from this youth had unexpectedly reached the Soul Emperor level, or perhaps even higher!
"An eighteen or nineteen-year-old Soul Emperor?! This... is simply a monster!"
Waves of shock crashed through Dugu Bo's heart, and his evaluation of that mysterious "Fu Clan" rose once again.
For a power to cultivate such a young expert, its background and foundations were likely far beyond his imagination.
Shock aside, he did not forget the purpose of this trip. Forcing down his turbulent emotions, his sharp gaze locked onto Fu Shiyan. In a deep voice, he said, "Your Excellency... must be the 'Young Master' this person spoke of, right? Was it Your Excellency who claimed to be able to resolve the affliction plaguing my granddaughter and me, and invited me here?"
Fu Shiyan's avatar smiled faintly, his demeanor calm and composed. "Indeed, it is I. Greetings, Poison Douluo, I have long looked forward to meeting you."
Shifting the topic, he did not directly answer the matter of detoxification. Instead, he said, "This is no place for a conversation. I have long yearned to see the miraculous sights of Your Excellency's medicinal garden."
"Why don't we move into the garden and discuss things in detail?"
"At that time, I will naturally present the specific method to eliminate your hidden affliction with both hands."
Dugu Bo's face suddenly darkened, but the situation was stronger than the individual. Not only did the opponent have a Rank 95 Titled Douluo accompanying him, but they also held his fatal secret and potential hope.
By coming to keep this appointment today, to a certain extent, the initiative was no longer in his hands.
After a moment of silence, Dugu Bo finally let out a cold snort. "Fine! I shall take you to have a look! But let us get the ugly words out of the way first. If you cannot produce real results, or if you harbor malicious intent, even if I have to risk this life of mine..." The poisonous mist around his body became faintly restless, and his unfinished words were filled with a bluffing, fierce threat.
"Rest assured, Your Excellency. I, Fu, have come this time only for a transaction, not to create enmity," Fu Shiyan said candidly.
Dugu Bo spoke no more. He turned and transformed into a streak of dark green flowing light, leading the way ahead.
Fu Shiyan and Fu Ze followed closely behind.
Traversing through layers of poisonous barriers, when that magnificent valley where ice and fire intertwined and mist steamed presented itself before his eyes, even though Fu Shiyan had long been mentally prepared, he still felt a trace of shock.
A look of clear astonishment also flashed through Fu Ze's eyes, evidently surprised by such a natural wonder of heaven and earth.
Upon entering the valley, the two extreme auras of scorching heat and absolute cold became even more distinct.
Dugu Bo stopped his steps, turned around to stare fixedly at Fu Shiyan, and spoke with an undertone of suppressed urgency, "You have seen the medicinal garden! Now, it is time to tell me the method, right?!"
Fu Shiyan did not keep him in suspense this time. His gaze swept over those immortal herbs in the valley, feeling even more confident. He cut straight to the chase: "There is naturally a method. But before I tell you, we need to settle the terms of our transaction."
"Speak!" Dugu Bo's voice grew tense.
"It is very simple," Fu Shiyan said in a calm tone. "If I successfully resolve the martial soul backlash and bloodline affliction plaguing Your Excellency and your granddaughter, Dugu Yan, and even help the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul take a step further--"
"Then, this medicinal garden will belong to my Fu Clan from now on. Furthermore, from this day forth, you, the Poison Douluo, will need to serve as a Guest Elder for my Beichen Fu Clan."
"Guest Elder?!"
Dugu Bo's face instantly turned ashen. The medicinal garden was one thing; he had already made preparations for that before coming to this meeting. However, he had been wild and unyielding all his life, loving freedom above all and despising restraint the most. To have him join a certain clan and be at their beck and call was simply...
But when he thought about how this was the only possible chance to resolve the hidden afflictions in his own body, and even in Yan'an's, he fell into a silent struggle.
Fu Shiyan had long anticipated his reaction. Unhurriedly, he added, "Do not be anxious, Your Excellency. Please listen to me finish."
"My Beichen Fu Clan is a hidden clan. For generations, we have concentrated on cultivation and the research of various arts, rarely intervening in mundane worldly disputes."
"The position of Guest Elder is more of a symbolic alliance and friendship."
Looking at Dugu Bo's slightly softened expression, he continued, "Upon becoming a Guest Elder of the Fu Clan, Your Excellency's past daily life will remain exactly the same, without any restrictions."
"The Fu Clan will not interfere with any of your freedoms, let alone ask you to do anything against your conscience."
"Only when the Fu Clan encounters a major crisis, or when we need to borrow Your Excellency's expertise in the way of poison and pharmacology, will we send someone to invite you."
"To Your Excellency, it is merely gaining a powerful ally and a backbone of resources, as well as... the opportunity to eradicate your martial soul defect."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a hoarse voice, "...If it is as you say, I can agree to it."
"But the premise is that you must first prove that you truly have a way!"
"That is only natural." Seeing that his initial goal had been achieved, Fu Shiyan delayed no further and began to elaborate on the method.
"The root cause of the Jade Phosphor Serpent poison backlash lies in the fact that although the martial soul can produce potent poison, there is no corresponding 'poison sac' within the soul master's body to safely contain the toxins."
"The toxins accumulate in the body and corrode the soul master themselves--that is the backlash."
"The first method treats the symptoms."
Fu Shiyan held up one finger. "I can prepare a special medicinal formula to dissolve most of the residual toxins accumulated in your body, alleviating the pain. After that, you will need to find a suitable soul bone to serve as a temporary 'poison sac' to bear the toxins subsequently produced by the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor. This way, you and your granddaughter can be preserved from the suffering of the backlash for a considerably long time, and your cultivation can continue to improve."
When Dugu Bo heard the words "soul bone," his eyes had already lit up.
Although soul bones were rare, this method indeed sounded feasible!
However, Fu Shiyan shifted the topic: "But this method has a fatal hidden danger. As a carrier, a soul bone has its endurance limit. Once the toxins produced in the body exceed the upper limit of the soul bone's capacity, the soul bone will shatter, and the toxins will instantly rush back into the entire body... At that time, even the gods would find it hard to save you. Furthermore, this method treats the symptoms but not the root cause; the hidden danger in your descendants' bloodline will still exist."
The fire of hope that had just risen within Dugu Bo was doused by another bucket of cold water, and his face turned unsightly once more.
"The second method," Fu Shiyan held up a second finger, his tone growing heavier, "treats the root cause. Since the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul itself cannot evolve a perfect 'poison sac,' we will borrow external force to stimulate the martial soul to evolve once more!"
"Martial soul evolution?!"
Dugu Bo cried out in shock, an expression of utter disbelief bursting forth from his eyes.
The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor was already a top-tier martial soul. To evolve again? What kind of sight would that be?!
"Correct," Fu Shiyan affirmed, his gaze sweeping over the many immortal herbs by the banks of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. "By borrowing the uniquely blessed immortal-grade medicinal herbs of this place, combined with my unique alchemy methods, I can refine a medicinal pill capable of cleansing the source of the martial soul, stimulating its potential, and guiding it to transform into a higher level. Not only can it thoroughly resolve the toxin backlash and eradicate the hidden danger, but it is also highly possible to raise the quality and power of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor martial soul to a brand-new height!"
Thoroughly resolve! Eradicate the hidden danger! Martial soul evolution!
These three terms were like heavy hammers, striking violently against Dugu Bo's heart, causing his breathing to grow ragged. The shock in his eyes completely transformed into wild joy and desire!
Compared to the soul bone method which carried hidden dangers, this second solution was simply a dream-like way out!
If it could truly be realized, Fu Shiyan's favor to their Dugu family could be described as the grace of regeneration!
"I choose the second one! I choose the second method!"
Dugu Bo said excitedly, without almost any hesitation.
Freedom was indeed precious, but the continuation of his family, his own liberation, his granddaughter's future, and the possibility of martial soul evolution--their value far surpassed that little bit of potential restraint.
Fu Shiyan was not at all surprised by his choice. Nodding, he said, "Good. To refine this pill, several specific immortal herbs need to be prepared as the main ingredients, supplemented by many rare medicinal materials, and specific tools are also required. One week from now, I will prepare everything needed and return here to open the furnace and refine the pill."
"It's a deal!"
The look Dugu Bo used to watch Fu Shiyan at this moment was already completely different. Fu Shiyan's grand promises had fed him to satisfaction, and his eyes were full of yearning for the evolution of his martial soul.
Having finished receiving the memories transmitted back by his vegetation avatar, the main body of Fu Shiyan, far away in the courtyard within Nuoding City, revealed a heartfelt smile on his face.
Subduing Dugu Bo and obtaining the right to use the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well--the plan was progressing smoothly.
However, aside from his joy, he did not relax his vigilance.